Frequent questions. If you are already preparing your holiday in Sri Lanka, we recommend that you read the following sections carefully.

As experts in organised tours, we inform you of everything you need to consider before traveling to Sri Lanka.

We have prepared this useful information from the frequent questions travellers ask us before and during the trip to Sri Lanka. Now we put it at your disposal so that you have no doubt in your personalised trip.

Do not hesitate to contact us if one of these problems is not sufficiently clear, by telephone, WhatsApp or e-mail.

Entrust your dreams to the specialist agency in Sri Lanka with an office in Kandy, in central Sri Lanka. 

From our privileged position we offer you the closeness and good work of our team of drivers and guides.

In Sri Lanka, Eden Viaggi will organise your trip so you don’t have to worry about anything, although it is important to have this useful information.

If because and why

In addition to airline tickets, a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and a visa to enter Sri Lanka is required.

The visa is obtained through the web http://www.eta.gov.lk/, with the payment of 35 US dollars.

Children under the age of 12 receive an entry visa to Sri Lanka for free.

If because and why

Sri Lanka Eden Travels is a travel agency based in Kandy, specifically at 285 Heerassagala Road. 

Our Business registration number of Sri Lanka is PV 106406.

Frequently asked questions

The most frequent and agile way to talk to us during the booking is by telephone or WhatsApp, also once arrived in Sri Lanka you will be able to contact us through our representative / guide / Driver.

We have a 24-hour service to assist you with everything you need.

In Sri Lanka there are very few people who speak English and does not reach all situations. 

This is when our personalised attention from Sri Lanka itself gives you added value that no other agency can offer.

If because and why

The payment method is 10% or 20% (depending on low or high season) by bank transfer to a bank account in Sri Lanka.

The remaining 90% or 80% is paid in cash or card on arrival in Sri Lanka or by international bank transfer in Sri Lanka.

Note : in the case of 

• pay by international bank transfer, the amount will be subject to an increase of 2,5% 

      for banking fees originated.

• pay on arrival by credit card, the amount will be subject to an increase of 2,5% 

      for banking fees originated.

The booking of the trip is made from the moment in which the deposit of 10% or 20% of the travel amount is made.

Cancellation policy:

Up to 30 days before the start of the journey, 100% ***of the deposit is refunded in the event of cancellation of the trip. 

Between 29 days and 15 days before the start of the journey there is a penalty of 50% of the deposit amount.

Cancellations within the 14 days prior to the trip do not involve any refund of the deposit.

***Administration cost 90$ per person will be charged from the deposit in this case.

If because and why

There are no mandatory vaccinations to enter in Sri Lanka. 

Always consult your doctor for recommended vaccines.

Frequently asked questions

On the other hand it is important to know that serious contagious diseases do not often occur in the country.

If because and why

We have pharmacies all over Sri Lanka where to go in case you need medication.

Even so, it is better to bring some analgesic, anti-inflammatory and material for the treatment of small wounds such as gauze and plasters.

Of course, the medicaments that every traveler is taking in their case.

If because and why

It is extremely important to take the following measures:

Use a very high solar protection throughout the tour.

Always drink bottled water. It is advisable to drink very often to avoid dehydration.

Apply a good mosquito repellent, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Although in most cases there are no serious health problems, it is advisable to travel with an insurance that covers medical expenses abroad.

Likewise, it is advisable to extend the coverage in the case of adventures or underwater excursions.

Sri Lanka is an absolutely safe country. 

As in any other part of the world where tourism exists, care must be taken; not to neglect personal effects in public places, trains or public transport. In any case, it is not a place where frequent robberies occur and, even less, violence.

Frequently asked questions

Furthermore, whenever you travel with Sri Lanka Eden Travels, the driver and / or guide will always be with you to protect you from any eventuality.

If because and why

For women traveling alone it is advisable to dress discreetly. 

That is, neither too tight nor showing shoulders and legs above the knee. 

In the event that a man aproaches you, it is good to say that you are married and do not show the slightest interest. 

These two measures are sufficient for a smooth and regular journey.

If because and why

The national currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. Normally written LKR or Rs.

Frequently asked questions

The most convenient is to bring some cash for minor expenses and pay by credit card in hotels, restaurants and shops.

Making multiple currency changes only serves to pay unnecessary commissions.

Furthermore, it is very easy to change any currency to LKR in any bank or exchange office because they are present throughout the country. 

When you need to change money, inform your driver / guide and he will take you to the nearest exchange point.

If you travel with a specialised travel agency, such as Sri Lanka Eden Travels, most of the expenses are already included in the package price.

There are also ATMs throughout the country. So you can also have money available by using them. In this case, bank commissions can be considerable.

The conversion of 1 euro is 190 rupees on 1 August 2019. 

It is always advisable to check the currency before going to Sri Lanka. 

The alterations are daily and can vary greatly from one month to another.

If because and why

The approximate budget for lunch and dinner is 20-25 US dollars per day, without alcoholic beverages. 

Wine, beer and others are expensive in this country and this budget will be increased depending on the type of drink you drink, as in any county.

Like other countries in Asia, it is customary to tip employees of restaurants, hotels, drivers, guides, etc.

Here are some of the following examples:

In restaurants it is advisable to leave a tip of approximately 10% of the total bill, provided that the service is correct. 

Tipping is not necessary when a service charge has been included in the restaurant bill.

Hotel baggage porters: usually a tip of 100 rupees per suitcase.

Safari jeeps usually receive around 1,000 rupees per jeep for a half-day safari and 2,000 rupees if the safari is for a whole day.

As for the driver: it is customary to tip as long as he has done a good job. 

It is worth around 700-800 rupees per day of travel and per person for couples. 

In the case of a group of 4 or more people, the recommended amount will be Rs 600 per day per trip and per person.

The vast majority of hotels have free wi-fi, although it does not always work with the speed maybe you used to back home.

Frequently asked questions

It is very easy to acquire a phone card and data on arrival in Sri Lanka. 

For more information read our article on these services:

https://srilankaedentravels.com/phone-and-internet-in-sri-lanka/

The use of light cotton clothing is recommended, and it is better if it is light in colour. 

Both shoes and clothes must be comfortable and suitable for this type of trip.

It is also advisable to use an umbrella to protect from both rain and sun.

Frequently asked questions

Reccomended to wear a jacket or long-sleeved sweater, trousers and shoes.

If you intend to visit the mountainous region (Nuwara Eliya, Haputale, Bandarawela and Ella) because it can get cold.

To enter the temples it is necessary to cover the legs (even below the knee) and shoulders. 

Clothing should be modest, neither too low nor too tight.

It is mandatory to remove shoes in sacred places, but the use of socks is permitted and, in fact, highly recommended.

These standards are of general conformity, for both men and women.

Sri Lanka offers many different activities to do with children, young people, teenagers, parents, grandparents, uncles …

Sri Lanka is ideal for family travel. 

You can do various and various safaris to see animals like the elephant or the leopard. 

Go for a hike to find out the flora and fauna and see interesting monuments with giant and colourful Hindu gods.

You can swim in the beaches where You can also see whales. 

Go canoeing in the mangroves. 

Plus! A multitude of things that will make the little ones feel in an authentic theme park with animals and new experiences.

Furthermore, it is a safe country for traveling with children, plus they travel with an agency specialised in personalised travel for families. 

From here we take care of the smallest details.

Frequently asked questions 

From the hotels to the restaurants, chosen during the design of the itinerary. 

In addition to selected activities for children and teenagers. Request information on our routes for families with children.

https://srilankaviaggieden.com/itinerari/sri-lanka-in-9-gg-la-rotta-degli-elefanti-in-famiglia/

Locals love taking pictures of themselves with travellers and tourists. 

Anyway, better to always ask and then take the picture. 

Of course, it’s a detail to share with them the pics you’ve taken.

Yes, you cannot film or photograph airports, military sites, Parliament and Government institutions.

You cannot use flash when take photos of frescoes in the Golden Temple of Dambulla, Sigiriya. 

It is not allowed as it causes damage to these fragile historical elements.

Similarly, a person cannot be photographed next to or with his back to a Buddha statue because it is considered a serious lack of respect.

The official languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhalese and Tamil.

Sinhalese is the most used language. 

It is estimated that between 75 and 80% of the population speaks Sinhalese.

Tamil is spoken by 20-25% of the population, since both Muslims and Tamils speak this language.

About 10% of the population also speaks English.

Further information is our link on the following languages of Sri Lanka:

https://srilankaviaggieden.com/la-lingua-dello-sri-lanka/

We respond to all our requests in English, Spanish, Italian and French.

Similarly, our office and driver staff also speak English, Spanish, Italian, Sinhalese and Tamil.

Currently in Sri Lanka we have different types of plug pins: flat and round.

If you are the kind of cautious traveler who likes to have everything well controlled, it is better to bring an electric adapter taking into account the different types of plugs.

For more information on plugs and adapters during your trip to Sri Lanka, read the following article:

https://srilankaedentravels.com/plugs-sockets-and-electrical-adapters-in-sri-lanka/

In Sri Lanka is not observed the DST, is called India Standard Time (IST), which it is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT/UTC (UTC+05:30).

If because and why

Mainly all the Embassies and Consulates are located in The Colombo metropolitan area.

Please follow the link and find yours :

https://www.sltda.lk/embassies_in_sri_lanka

If because and why